Credit: The Associated Press

With the Washington Monument in the distance, Park Service police officers stand on duty at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2013. Barriers went down at National Park Service sites and thousands of furloughed federal workers began returning to work throughout the country Thursday after 16 days off the job because of the partial government shutdown.

WASHINGTON — Barriers are coming down at federal memorials and National Park Service sites, and thousands of relieved but wary federal workers have returned to work across the country.

The employees return Thursday after 16 days off the job due to the partial government shutdown. Those who were furloughed or worked without pay will get back pay in their next paychecks. For most employees, that's Oct. 29.